Osteomyelitis Flashcards
What is osteomyelitis?
Osteomyelitis describes an infection of the bone.
What are the two subclassifications of osteomyelitis?
Haematogenous osteomyelitis and non-haematogenous osteomyelitis.
What is haematogenous osteomyelitis?
Results from bacteraemia, is usually monomicrobial, and is the most common form in children.
What is the most common form of haematogenous osteomyelitis in adults?
Vertebral osteomyelitis.
What are the risk factors for haematogenous osteomyelitis?
Sickle cell anaemia, intravenous drug use, immunosuppression due to medication or HIV, infective endocarditis.
What is non-haematogenous osteomyelitis?
Results from the contiguous spread of infection from adjacent soft tissues to the bone or from direct injury/trauma to bone.
What is the commonality of non-haematogenous osteomyelitis?
It is often polymicrobial and is the most common form in adults.
What are the risk factors for non-haematogenous osteomyelitis?
Diabetic foot ulcers/pressure sores, diabetes mellitus, peripheral arterial disease.
What is the most common cause of osteomyelitis?
Staph. aureus is the most common cause except in patients with sickle-cell anaemia where Salmonella species predominate.
What is the imaging modality of choice for investigating osteomyelitis?
MRI, with a sensitivity of 90-100%.
What is the management for osteomyelitis?
Flucloxacillin for 6 weeks; clindamycin if penicillin-allergic.
